GAINESVILLE, Fla. — For the first time in several years consumer confidence in Florida failed to rebound at the New Year, reflecting concerns about poor company earnings, large layoffs and the Republican fiscal agenda, University of Florida economists said today.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Nearly half of all women over 65 now use herbal therapies to prevent or treat health problems, but they rarely inform their health-care providers, according to a new University of Florida study.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — This year’s unseasonably cold winter and continuing drought conditions in the Southeast may lead to poor fishing come spring for anglers partial to the popular black crappie as well as other sport fish, according to a University of Florida researcher.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida once again has placed among the nation’s top schools in recruiting National Merit and National Achievement scholars during the past year, according to recently released rankings.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida engineering researchers have developed an inexpensive system to count red-light runners at intersections, a step that comes as advocates of red-light camera ticketing systems pursue laws making them legal in Florida.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In depicting the Cuban Missile Crisis, the movie “Thirteen Days” strives to be realistic in portraying the Kennedy brothers, but its dialogue unfairly portrays the military as pushing the world to the brink of nuclear holocaust, says a University of Florida researcher who has written a new book on the confrontation.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Pramod P. Khargonekar, Claude E. Shannon professor and chairman of the department of electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Michigan, has been selected as the new dean of the University of Florida College of Engineering, following a national search. An alumnus of the University of Florida, he will assume his new duties July 1.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Aquarium hobbyists now can buy domestically grown neon tetra fish that are brighter and healthier than the imported variety, yet cost about the same, thanks to new techniques developed at the University of Florida.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A new University of Florida study provides fresh evidence that an antibacterial agent added to some asthma medications can cause airway constriction, potentially blunting the effectiveness of efforts to reverse an asthma attack.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida has created a new institute dedicated to research in nanoscience and nanotechnology, an area that is expected to open new frontiers in medicine, computing, electronic devices and energy storage.

CHRISTIANSTED, U.S. Virgin Islands — When every known control measure failed to stop termites from gnawing their way through a 250-year-old Danish fort overlooking Christiansted’s picturesque harbor, the National Park Service turned to a University of Florida termite expert for help.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Butterflies by the millions will have a new place to call home at the University of Florida, thanks to a major gift to construct two new buildings for Lepidoptera research and public exhibits, university officials announced today (1/5).

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Children gain more from homework if it’s a family affair like going to a picnic or sporting event, says a University of Florida researcher who found that involvement from parents and family members leads to greater success in school.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida’s noted quality of life is measured with a yardstick in new University of Florida research into counties with the best schools, most crime, opportunities for hot jobs and other matters important to the way we live.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida has ended its five-year capital campaign with a record-setting $850.4 million, eclipsing both its original and revised goals, university officials announced today.